Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/558/6664
From The Socialist newspaper, 26 November 2008
National Shop Stewards Network
Organise to save jobs
With dark clouds gathering over the car industry the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) has not just stood by.
Linda Taaffe, NSSN national secretary
Networkers in Southampton have been enthusiastically supporting workers in the Transit plant to get a fighting campaign going against the possibility of closure. Last week's steering committee heard first hand about the state of play there from Nick Chaffey.
Everyone recognised that there was an urgent need to get car workers together on a national basis to defend thousands of jobs, affecting many more thousands of families. Such a vital campaign cannot be left simply to union bureaucracies. A helping hand is needed.
Rob Williams, NSSN vice chair and convenor in the ex-Ford car parts plant in South Wales, took the initiative and proposed that the NSSN organise a national meeting for car workers and stewards. Those in the component and ancillary industries would also be invited to hammer out a plan of action to defend jobs, terms and conditions.
The provisional plan is to hold it in Birmingham, possibly on 14 February - but it could be earlier.
We appeal to readers of The Socialist to get this message out now to any car factories in your area.
The traditional Christmas shut down will be extended to a month, or even six weeks this year, so, although February might seem a long time away, there is no time to lose.
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In The Socialist 26 November 2008:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Darling's prescription... It's spend, spend, spend on the banks... but cuts, cuts, cuts for the NHS
Top-up payments for private health care another step towards two-tier National Health
Environment and socialism
Socialist 'deal' for environment needed
Campaign Against Climate Change march
Socialist Party editorial
Alistair Darling's pre Budget Report: Pain now, pay later
Unison witchhunt
Activists discuss how to reclaim Unison
Meeting pledges to fight witch-hunt
Unison leadership takeover Newham branch
Socialist Party workplace news
Manchester: No redundancies at IMI!
Strike saves jobs at Fiddlers Ferry
Anti-racism
BNP membership list: A weak divided party exposed
New Labour hypocrisy on racism
Socialist Party campaigns
Campaigning to save post offices
Rover's ex-workers wage cut scandal
Socialist Party feature
China's food contamination crisis deepens
Socialist Party women
Comment
International socialist news and analysis
Somalia piracy - a consequence of western powers' intervention
France: Education strikes on the agenda
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